Students Struggle To Raise Money For Clubs At Olympic Heights, They Hope One Day To Have A Stadium

April 14, 1993|By JODI HOFFMAN, Olympic Heights High School

Among the many problems an organization faces -- such as recruiting and planning activities -- raising money is always near the top.

Fund-raisers often present an obstacle, especially for Olympic Heights High School. Since this is only the school`s second year, all the clubs have been raising money to build a strong foundation. In addition, no sports stadium has been built because of the large expense, so special activities have been planned throughout the year to help pay the cost.

``The best type of fund-raiser is one that students can relate to,`` said Key Club adviser Laura Hamilton.

Responding to that, the Key Club sold T-shirts, donating about $400 of what was raised to the stadium fund.

In the works now is a program called Laugh-In. The Key Club is sponsoring the comedy/skit show in which students will participate, again with the proceeds going toward the stadium.

Although band, chorus, and the Class of `95 found selling candy a large success, Hamilton said the major effort went into a jewelry sale.

``Unfortunately, it was not very successful,`` Hamilton said. ``Too much paperwork had to be filled out, and the outcome wasn`t worth all the effort.``

A recent student-faculty basketball game enjoyed some success, raising about $1,500. The student council donated the money to the stadium fund.

Aside from the vast amount of paperwork needed for administration approval of fund-raisers, other factors contribute to the rate of success.

``We are fortunate to have students participate, which makes it more successful,`` said Student Council President Stephanie Smith. ``But also planning well in advance makes a difference.``

However, there often is a lack of involvement on the part of the student body.

``It`s frustrating to work so hard if the class is not even enthusiastic or supportive,`` said junior class president Kathy Diaz. ``Earlier in the year, the Class of `94 sold magazine subscriptions, but because of a lack of effort did not raise as much money as anticipated.``

While a great effort has been made by students to raise money for the stadium, outside help is being sought.

Principal Dr. Jake Sello hopes to enlist big business to the cause.

Of the $100,000 needed to complete Phase I of the stadium, about 1,900 seats, $12,000 has been raised. Three phases are to be built, for a seating capacity of 2,500. Total cost: $450,000.

Sello hopes donors will realize that ``the stadium is for the whole community, not just the school,`` and be willing to ``help the students have something to efficiently use.``

PARENTS JUST DON`T UNDERSTAND

Can you talk with your parents about everything? Have you triumphed in an area of compromise after discussing ``house rules`` with your parents? Were you able to get an increase in your allowance.

There are several columns written for parents, instructing them how to relate to their kids. But how about putting the shoe on the other foot?

If you have had to negotiate a delicate situation with your parents, and it took

you a while to figure out how to approach it, share that experience with

other kids. Particularily, first-person accounts pertaining to the following subjects: allowance, curfew, dating, working, home work.

If you have a first-person story you would like to share -- something that could benefit others finding themselves in a